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Tree That Survived A-Bomb Sees 70th Christmas

Japanese family kept tree through calamities

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2007 1:10 PM CST
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(Newser) – A Japanese soldier's Christmas tree has stayed with his family through dark times, and even survived the atomic bomb that killed his brother in Nagasaki. This year marks the 70th Christmas that Warren Nobuaki Iwatake has put up the fragile, three-foot tree, which he calls "a shining light, because it was a symbol of unity in my family."

Iwatake's family hoisted the tree every year through World War II, risking arrest from Japanese authorities who were suspicious of all things Western. After a US POW rescued Iwatake from a pit during the war, and Iwatake later saw the soldier beheaded, he sent pics of the tree to the man's Texas family every year. "Gradually, Christmas has become more meaningful again," said Iwatake.

Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks, while sitting near to a Christmas tree, in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks, while sitting near to a Christmas tree, in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)   (Associated Press)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, next to a Christmas tree and a 2002 photograph showing him with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. One day during World War II, he was in the hills digging bunkers when he heard word that a...
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, next to a Christmas tree and a 2002 photograph showing him with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. One day during World...   (Associated Press)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake and his wife, Emiko, puts the final touches on a Christmas tree in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake and his wife, Emiko, puts the final touches on a Christmas tree in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Warren Nobuaki Iwatake, a family portrait shows Iwatake, fourth from right, with his parents and four younger brothers and one sister taken in Hawaii in the 1930s. (AP Photo/Warren Nobuaki Iwatake)
In this photo released by Warren Nobuaki Iwatake, a family portrait shows Iwatake, fourth from right, with his parents and four younger brothers and one sister taken in Hawaii in the 1930s. (AP Photo/Warren...   (Associated Press)
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Japan • Nagasaki • World War II • Christmas

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